There are some things local councils no longer have the resources to tackle. The County Council is responsible for clearing weeds but unless the weeds block or impede access it is unlikely they will act. So action falls to the local town or parish council or to local people.
The path between St Michael’s Avenue and Park Road had become very overgrown. The path used to be regularly weeded by a local resident, but since he passed away it has got a bit out of hand.
So a small band of local residents embarked on a bit of street gardening today and have cleared the path of weeds, removing the graffiti from the neighbouring fence
– filling up 3 wheelie bins.
Thanks to Iain for sending this. He adds “Hopefully everyone will agree the path now looks much better. Thank you to Megan, Geoff, Lucy, Rosie, Hope and Toby for all their help.”
Excellent job – many thanks.
Is this a good example of NIMBYism? Weeds, that is! Well done.
I don’t know about Abingdon these days but where we live the town and district councils are more than happy to help with resources for these sorts of things – I run a couple of Cub Packs here and we do stuff like this once or twice a year and get the equipment loaned to us and the rubbish removed – you just have to ask. And whilst it may be somebody else’s responsibility it’s alway everyone’s problem. A little bit of elbow grease every now and again make all the difference to your local area and brightens lives. Well done, what a great, positive thing to do!
I’m surprised if the district council take away vegetation as our primary responsibility is rubbish. In principle, the county council should clear vegetation. Personally, I found it quite enough effort to clear the big stuff, Buddleia and Elderberry, as well as Nettles and Fat Hen. The rest is too low down for my back! Besides I am in a position to clear away this heavier stuff which others might not be.
Well done!
Good work Littlejohns and friends, though I still worry about who’s the proper Authority here – we never found out!
Meanwhile people can save their shoes by going through the churchyard;people don’t seem to “like to”, but they are more than welcome!
Thanks John – it’s definitely Oxfordshire County Council – countryside department. They have confirmed in writing that they are responsible, just unfortunately theywerent prepared to do the weeding (much to the regret of my blisters!)
Yes, that’s because it is a Right of Way, in fact Abingdon Footpath 16, http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/publicnet/council_services/environment_planning/countryside/Map/ROW/row.html refers!
Congratulations to those involved. Great to hear a story highlighting the good young people do in the community rather than just the negative stuff we usually hear.
The late lamented Hugh Randoph did the weeding; there’s a tree in his memory just over the hedge; please go and see it and encourage it – a very slow grower. Also see the tree in honour of Mervyn Beadle – of the famous and also much missed shop in Ock Street. (The Church gardens really are interesting!). Also see the lane between Winterbourne and Marcham Road!
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